Combination diffusion and vignetting tool

ABSTRACT

A combination tool for use in photographic enlarging procedures is disclosed. The combination tool includes a diffuser arm and a vignetting arm pivotally connected together. Each arm may be used independently of the other or in combination with each other to provide diffusion while vignetting.

United States Patent Profitt [451 Aug. 8, 1972 [54] COMBINATION DIFFUSION AND 3,309,973 3/1967 Engler ..95/65 X VIGNETTING TOOL 7,865 1/1851 Anthony ..355/l32 72 Inventor: L H. Profin, 77 bovetta Drive, 1,062,247 5/1913 Molne ..95/65 Kettering, Ohio 45429 P Ex S ls M tth rimary ammeramue a ews [22] Filed. Jan. 15,1970 Assistant Examiner-Monroe H. Hayes [21] Appl. No.: 3,176 Attorney-Eugene C. Goodale 52 us. Cl. ..95/65, 355/80, 355/125 [571 ABSTRACT CI- A combination tool for use in photographic enlarging Flew 0f Search 30, 126 procedures is disclosed. The combination tool includes a diffuser arm and a vignetting arm pivotally [56] References Cmd connected together. Each arm may be used indepen- UNITED STATES PATENTS dently of the other or in combination with each other to provide diffusion while vignetting. 1,127,763 2/1915 Howland ..95/65 2,243,048 5/1941 Foster ..355/l32 X 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED 9 v 3.682.075

FIG.3

INVENTOR. LEO H. PROFITT BY Q ATTORNEY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a tool for use in enlarging of photographic prints and more particularly to a combined tool for permitting independent diffusion and vignetting or for simultaneous diffusion while vignetting.

vignetting is a printing technique used to eliminate distracting or unwanted backgrounds in the enlargement of photographic prints. This technique is used primarily in enlargements of people. It is well known that one can easily vignette print by projecting the image from a negative through a hole in an opaque cardboard or the like. The hole is feathered or roughcut along the edges so that the image-fades gradually into the print paper. At the present time, most home do-it-yourself-type enlargers make their own vignette boards from a piece of cardboard. It is also possible to purchase a variable vignette which performs the same function as the make it yourself vignette.

Quite often in the enlargement of prints, it is desirable to cut down the harshness or soften the image of a print. This technique is called diffusion and consists of inserting a light diffusing material between the enlarger and the print paper in order to diffuse the light passing therethrough and onto the paper.

In both the vignetting and diffusing techniques, it is necessary to keep the vignetter of diffuser in continuous motion during the print exposure. At present, if one wants to both diffuse and vignette a print, the person must hold a vignetter in one hand and a diffuser in the other hand, align the two hands both laterally and vertically relative to the enlarger and the print paper and simultaneously move both hands vertically and laterally to prevent burning the print or having hot spots appear on the print. This technique is obviously difficult to master and many prints have been ruined while 'attempting the simultaneous diffusion and vignetting techniques.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combination developing tool which will permit diffusion while vignetting during the enlarging process.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tool which will allow a person to vignette or diffuse independently or perform the two techniques simultaneously.

Another object of this invention is to provide a separate bum-in control having an adjustable size with the combination tool.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a tool which will allow an operator to difiuse and vignette with a one-hand operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a tool which is of simple and economical construction and is easy to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A combination tool is provided in this invention which will allow independent vignetting or diffusing or the simultaneous diffusion while vignetting in the enlarging of photographic prints. The combination tool comprises a vignette arm and a diffuser arm pivotally connected together for independent or joint use.

Means are also provided to allow controlled bum-in techniques.

Other objects, details, uses, and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the exemplary embodiment hereof presented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show present exemplary embodiments of this invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the combination tool in the open or independent use position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the attaching means for the diffusion material;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the combination tool in the closed position for use in diffusion while vignetting; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a modified embodiment of the present invention in which various shaped vignette apertures appear on the handles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings which illustrate one exemplary embodiment of the combined diffusion and vignette tool or diffusette of this invention which is designated generally as 10. It is seen that the diffusette 10 is made of any non-transparent material such as plastic or the like.

The diffusette 10 is comprised of two substantially planar units or arms 12 and 14 pivotally connected together at one end by any suitable means such as a rivet or pivot member 16. Each arm has a substantially narrow or handle portion adjacent the pivot end and a substantially enlarged portion at the opposite end. The arm 12 is the vignetting arm and a typical vignetting aperture 18- is formed in the enlarged end portion thereof.

- The diffuser arm 14 is formed with a removable diffusing element. As best seen in FIG. 2, it is seen that the planar surface 14 has an aperture 21 formed therethrough. A retainer ring 22 holds the diffusion material 24 in'place. It may be seen that the aperture 21 is substantially V-shaped and the retainer ring 22 is formed with a cooperating surface to coact with the formed surface of aperture 21 so as to hold the diffusion material 24 taut. Thus, should it become necessary to replace the difiusion material 24, it is only necessary to remove the retainer ring 22 and stretch a new diffusion material over the aperture 21 and then replace the retainer ring 22. Excess diffusion material may then be trimmed and discarded. Nylon hose have been found to give excellent diffusion results.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the handle portion of each arm 12 and 14 is respectively formed with a cutout portion 26 and 28. The cut out portions perform two functions. When the diffusette is in the closed position as seen in FIG. 3, the slots 26 and 28 are used as finger gripping slots for ease in opening the diffusette to the position shown in FIG. 1. Also, arms 12 and 14 may be closed as in FIG. 1, so that the cut out portions 26 and 28 define an opening in the handles which may be used for burning in or printing in small areas. It is seen that the open area may be controlled by varying the degree of opening of the arms 12 and 14. The arms 12 and 14 move in parallel planes.

In operation, if a person wants to perform a vignetting operation, the diffusette is opened and the vignette arm 12 is held a few inches below the enlarger and above the paper in order to form the pattern desired. The vignette arm is moved up and down slightly during exposure to get a smooth face for the vignette.

If the operator merely wants to cut down the harshness or soften an image, in other words diffusion, the diffusette 10 is opened and the diffuser arm 14 is inserted a few inches below the enlarger lens. Again the diffuser arm 14 is moved up and down slightly during exposure to avoid getting a definite pattern.

If the operator wants a diffusion and vignetting of the same print, the diffusette 10 is used in the position shown in FIG. 3 in which the diffusion screen is superimposed over the vignette aperture 18. In this position, the diffusette 10 is held a few inches below the enlarger in order to form the pattern desired. The diffusette 10 is moved up and down slightly during exposure to get the diffusion plus the smooth fade of the vignette on the print. It is seen that this is accomplished while only using one hand. In addition, partial exposure without diffusion, in other words, to give extra snap" to eyes and lips, etc., may be accomplished by using the opening defined by cut out portions 26 and 28 for buming in small areas.

A modified embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, various shaped apertures indicated generally as 30 are formed in the handle portion. These various shaped apertures allow an operator to have various shaped vignette apertures for use under varying conditions.

It is also noted that it would be possible to provide snap-out vignette rings which could be inserted in vignette arm 12 in place of the vignette aperture 18.

It can be seen that it is possible to perform diffusion and vignetting operations independently or a simultaneous vignetting and diffusion combination operation with the combined tool of this invention. Thus, this invention provides a combined diffusion and vignetting tool which is of simple and economical construction, is

easy to operate, and permits ultimate versatility in diffusion, vignetting or the combination diffusion and vignetting operation.

While present exemplary embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a hand-held diffusing and vignetting tool comprising:

a first elongated planar arm, said arm being larger in planar dimension at one end and fonning a handle portion at the other end, said arm being formed with avignette aperture in the large end to permit independent vignetting;

a second elongated planar arm, said arm being larger in planar dimension at one end and forming a handle portion at the other end, said larger planar end being formed with a shaped annular groove to define a diffusion aperture in said end;

a removable retainer ring complementally formed a mag assrataafis Haas. ape... by the engagement of said ring with said groove to permit independent diffusion;

a pivot member pivotally connecting the handle portions of said first and second planar arms to allow relative planar movement of said arms, one to the other, wherein said arms can be moved from a closed position in which the diffusing media is in superimposed alignment with the vignette aperture to an open position whereby a combination diffusion and vignetting is permitted with the arms in the closed position and separate and independent diffusion and vignetting is permitted with the arms in the open position.

2'. The tool as set forth in claim 1 in which one edge of the handle portion of said first arm has a slot formed therealong, and the other edge of the handle portion of said second arm has a slot formed therealong, said slots being formed the same radial distance from said pivot member, said slots forming operator engaging slots thereby providing ease in opening the tool and whereby the slots cooperatively define a second vignette aperture when the arms are partially opened.

3. The tool as set forth in claim 2 in which said handle portions have shaped apertures formed therein thereby providing additional shaped vignette apertures. 

1. In combination, a hand-held diffusing and vignetting tool comprising: a first elongated planar arm, said arm being larger in planar dimension at one end and forming a handle portion at the other end, said arm being formed with a vignette aperture in the large end to permit independent vignetting; a second elongated planar arm, said arm being larger in planar dimension at one end and forming a handle portion at the other end, said larger planar end being formed with a shaped annular groove to define a diffusion aperture in said end; a removable retainer ring complementally formed with said groove and mountable therein; a diffusing media secured in said diffusion aperture by the engagement of said ring with said groove to permit independent diffusion; a pivot member pivotally connecting the handle portions of said first and second planar arms to allow relative planar movement of said arms, one to the other, wherein said arms can be moved from a closed position in which the diffusing media is in superimposed alignment with the vignette aperture to an open position whereby a combination diffusion and vignetting is permitted with the arms in the closed position and separate and independent diffusion and vignetting is permitted with the arms in the open position.
 2. The tool as set forth in claim 1 in which one edge of the handle portion of said first arm has a slot formed therealong, and the other edge of the handle portion of said second arm has a slot formed therealong, said slots being formed the same radial distance from said pivot member, said slots forming operator engaging slots thereby providing ease in opening the tool and whereby the slots cooperatively define a second vignette aperture when the arms are partially opened.
 3. The tool as set forth in claim 2 in which said handle portions have shaped apertures formed therein thereby providing additional shaped vignette apertures. 